Inauguration 2013: View from the Stands

Nearly 800,000 people filled the National Mall in Washington, D.C. to witness the second inauguration of President Barack Obama. ESSENCE caught up with inauguration-goers to find out their views on the historic event, the state of the country and what they are looking forward to most in the next four years.

Dr. Deborah Foreman and Dr. Deidra Foreman

1/14

Dr. Debra Foreman, an educator at George Mason University, and daughter Dr. Deidra Foreman, OBGYN in the U.S. Navy.

Debra: “I’m hoping for unity in the country and increased growth in the economy.”

Deidra: “I want more support for Obama’s initiatives.”

Photo by Michael Rowe

Patrick and Catherine Fossuo

2/14

Patrick and Catherine Fossuo of Cameroon, who are relocating to the United States:

Patrick: “It’s great to be part of the U.S. inauguration, to experience the amazing feeling. I’m proud of what Obama has accomplished. He’s proven he wasn’t a fluke by being re-elected.

Catherine: “It’s so different compared to Cameroon where inaugurations are only for certain privileged cliques, and the public is not allowed to take part.”

Photo by Michael Rowe

Leigh Allen II and Leigh 'Trey' Allen III

Leigh II, director of development for the ABA: “I’m looking for Obama to bring greater economic opportunity and to close economic disparities. The wealth gap is getting wider and wider. The cost of living is going up but wages are staying the same.”

Leigh III: “I want him to put an end to bullying and cyber bullying.”

Photo by Michael Rowe

Maryann and Shareese Clarke

4/14

Maryann Clarke and daughter Shareese Clarke of Woodbridge, Virginia, showed up at 4:30 a.m. to make sure they got their seats on the bleachers across the street from the White House.

Maryann is an administrative assistant at George Washington University. Shareese is an airport police at Dulles International Airport.

Shareese: “I would like to see the rest of the troops serving overseas come home.”

Maryann: “I want him to prove his doubters wrong and get this country moving forward and get us on stable ground.”

Tiffani Harris and Mark Forrest

Forrest is a college administrator: “I’m hoping for more regulation of student loans. The interest rate payment terms are out of control.”

Harris is a contract specialist with the Department of Defense: “I want the politicians to work for the people who put them in office. I’m tired of them working on their own agendas; they need to work on the people’s agenda.”

Danny and April Stith

April: “I’m concerned about veterans’ rights. There’s a wall that retired veterans have to scale to get their full medical benefits.”

Her father is 76, retired from Marine Corps and has dementia. “We’re having a hard time getting him placed in a nursing home.”

Danny: “All of our medical costs have gone up.”

Photo by Michael Rowe

Lafayette Smith and Jesse Singleton

7/14

Jesse Singleton of Sacramento, California: “I’m hoping for more job creation and for the president to be more involved in gay rights issues.”

Lafayette Smith of Washington, D.C.: “I hope President Obama does more for the black community. I realize he’s the president of all the people but we as black people supported him from the very beginning. The gay community and the Latino community got their issues addressed and got something special out of it. Now, I’d like for us get something, too. We have high unemployment, high poverty, lack of affordable housing and a lot of other issues that need to be addressed.”

Photo by Michael Rowe

Victor and Khadija Barkely

8/14

Victor and Khadija Barkley of Silver Spring, Maryland:

Khadija, a middle school principal: “The country’s fiscal challenges have to be taken care of but I’m very concerned about where we are on education reform and how far we’re going to be able to take our kids into the 21st century.

Victor, a federal contractor, project management: “I’m just looking for President Obama to continue opening up opportunities for small businesses.”

Photo by Michael Rowe

Martin and Jane Kihiko with kids Alexis and John

9/14

Martin and Jane Kihiko of Elkridge, Maryland, who are originally from Kenya, birthplace of Obama’s father.

Jane: “I would like him to get more involved in Africa and find ways to help strengthen democracy on the continent.”

Martin: …and to have more influence in the African political arena to help African countries be more democratic, more honest, more for the people and be more inspired by the U.S.”

Photo by Michael Rowe

Janice Chance

10/14

Janice Chance of Owings Mill, Maryland. She’s state chaplain for Maryland chapter of American Gold Star Mothers. (Her son was a Marine Captain killed in Afghanistan in 2008.)

“I want continued support of our military personnel and our veterans, especially our homeless veterans who are increasingly women.”

“I’m hoping both parties start working together and put aside their differences and think about not what they can get out of their jobs but what they can do for the people. We have high unemployment and need to get more people back to work. They can get the job done if they set the bickering aside and move the country forward.”

Photo by Michael Rowe

Jennifer and Cheryl Drew

11/14

Cheryl Drew and daughter Jennifer Drew of Houston, Texas. Cheryl, 48, is an accountant. Jennifer is a student at the University of Louisiana at Monroe.

Cheryl: “I want a better economy because I want a better future for my daughter.”